Gardaí target gun owners after attack on minister's house

SHOTGUN owners in three counties are likely to be visited by gardaí investigating an attack on Justice Minister Michael McDowell's holiday home.

Ballistic tests will be carried out in order to match a suspected weapon to a cartridge found at the scene of the shooting. It is more difficult than matching a bullet to a rifle, but it is possible, according to gardaí.

A shot smashed the windows of the €500,000 holiday home at Rooskey in Co Roscommon, close to the borders of Leitrim and Longford. Gardaí are likely to visit the homes of licence holders in parts of those three counties.